I just listened to the replay of a presentation Wm. Weidner, Las Vegas Sands COO, gave today at the Bank of America Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. It is well worth the 36 minutes. Weidner always impresses me, and I like his rapidfire way of talking. The presentation is accompanied by 55 slides which help put things in perspective. Macau and China are mindboggling. We've never seen anything like it, and LVS is going to continue to be the leader in Asia. China's future is unbelievable as is LVS'. Wow!!!

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I don't know how to say this without sounding like an ass. But, I hate this company. I mean, I know they are soon to be the market leader worldwide, and I even own stock in this company, and I've done really well off it. But I just don't like the company. I mean, I agree he sounded amazing, this guy is on top of it, he really knows his stuff, and everything he said makes so much sense, but I guess the truth is, I wanted Wynn to be the world leader, and dominate this market, but to be honest, I just don't see how this will ever be possible. I think LVS was so much quicker out of the gate, I don't see how Wynn could ever catch up. Wynn has not even left the gate yet, and it seems like LVS is close to the finish line already. I don't know, it just kills me these guys are growing this fast, and actually doing it. The so seem to have their crap together, they even got entertainment at the Venetian to the top of the pack now, something they were always horrible at, and I know they even have Cirque Du Soleil signed for Singapore already. Like I say, I own stock, I'll benifit, but I just didn't want it to be them, I so wanted Wynn to kick their ass, and he does in respect with building the best hotels, he runs circles around them, but lets be men, and be honest, when it comes to making money, LVS has it! Yeah, it kills me to admit that! :)

They are still throwing up 3rd Qtr 2007 for The Palazzo's opening. I'm saying that's a stretch... It will be another Venetian opening where most of the rooms aren't open, etc... As the recent opening of WLV shows, waiting a bit can really help make sure things are up to speed.

Well, I've listened to both, and even though I don't like LVS, I feel alot more confident in there ability to create destination properties, than I do about Harrah's.

We need to see something about Harrah's Las Vegas plans. If we go off of the Las Vegas Sun article, then we can definitely not get our hopes up. Come on, there big thing, is the same signage (at least that is what I got out of the article).

The Harrah's guy was flat out boring. The LVS presentation was at least interesting, no matter what I may think about The Venetian and its companion properties.

July 5, 2006 12:27 AM
Posted by motoman

Brian, I agree w/ your sentiments wholeheartedly (well maybe, not "hate" LVS, but see where you're coming from). Had similar feelings about MGM now owning over half the Strip.

And that goes to the heart of what others here have said about Project CC. It lacks the vision of Wynn LV or (pre-MGM) Bellagio. These are bottom-line thinkers, not visionaries.

That's why PCC seems hollow to us here, and why the Venetian, spectacular though it is, lacks that certain special "something" that exists at the Wynn. And why, though it may not have made that survey of Vegas' "top ten" in its first (half) year, WLV will be tops of the current heap.

Someone had posted here that they thought Steve Wynn was unique, one of a kind, in his vision, perfectionism, dedication to the smallest details. I see an analogy to another Steve, namely Jobs.

Non Apple fans need to understand how the business press has been covering the resurgent Apple under Mr. Jobs. When I read an article about former employees and executives of Steve Wynn reflecting on their impressions and experiences, I swear you only needed substitute "Apple" for "Wynn Resorts" or "Mirage, Inc." In both cases, the vision of the leader makes the difference.